MOSCOW, January 15 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin during his address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday proposed to extend the powers of the State Duma when it comes to the naming of government.

He suggested that the amendments should be added to the Russian Constitution.

In particular, Putin proposed to authorize the lower house of parliament to approve the appointment of a Prime Minister, his deputies and federal ministers. A head of the state will be obliged to appoint the approved candidates. This would increase the role and significance of both the parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers and improve their cooperation, according to the President.

However, Putin stated that Russia must remain a powerful presidential republic with its head having the right to dismiss a Chair of the Government and ministers.

Putin also proposed to authorize the Federation Council to push judges of the Supreme and the Constitutional Courts aside in certain cases on a submission from the President. Moreover, according to the proposed amendments, appointment of heads of all power departments by the President will be possible only after consultations with the upper house of parliament.